Trace Software International announces the signing of a definitive agreement for the sale of elecworks, the software for the design of electrical and automation projects, toDassault Systèmes Solidworks.

Since 1987, Trace Software International has been developing advanced engineering software solutions addressed to three key markets: electrical design, electrical calculation, and photovoltaics. The experience acquired during more than 30 years has positioned them as the global expert in engineering.

However, the company has decided to sell the elecworks electrical and automation design software product line to Dassault Systèmes Solidworks. By leaving the world of electrical design behind, TSI aims to focus its core expertise in the development of software solution for the electrical calculation and photovoltaic industries.

ELECWORKS: THE ELECTRICAL CAD FOR THE WORLD

elecworks, translated into 14 languages, was introduced into the market for electrical schematics design and automation projects in 2009 at the SOLIDWORKS World in Orlando. In 2012, Dassault Systèmes Solidworks, the world leader in 3D solutions, signed an agreement with Trace Software International to complete its schematic design offer. elecworks, developed by Trace Software and Certified SolidWorks Gold Product, had been then marketed as SolidWorks Electrical. Seven years later, Dassault Systèmes Solidworks acquires the software.

“The investments necessary to continue to improve the solution and meet all the needs of an electric CAD solution had become too important for our SMEs: we have logically agreed to sell this unit of the business to Dassault Systèmes,” said Etienne Mullie, R&D Manager and President of Trace Software International.

In addition, Dassault Systèmes acquires the intellectual property of software and its development team. elecworks and SOLIDWORKS electrical are exactly the same product and have followed the same pace of development and updating. For elecworks users, there will be no change in the work habits and customers will benefit from the expertise of the vast network of SOLIDWORKS distributors in the world.

Now marketed as SOLIDWORKS Electrical, the software will benefit from the worldwide leadership of Dassault Systèmes Solidworks. In addition to 3D design, this acquisition allows Dassault Systemes Solidworks to meet all the needs of the mechatronic design chain: electricity and automation, mechanics and applied electronics.

After more than 30 years of experience, Trace Software International leaves the electrical design industry world. The company will intensify the investments in the construction industry, where the disruptive force of BIM is unlocking business opportunities, in the photovoltaic and energy markets.

By choosing to focus its research and development efforts on the latest advances in the construction and energy markets, Trace Software once again confirms that innovation is firmly rooted in its DNA.

elec calc 2019: enhanced operational efficiency

Trace Software International, the leading engineering company with unique expertise in the electrical industry, announces the launch of the latest version of elec calc.

elec calc is the software solution dedicated to the sizing of electrical installations, the only one in the world that allows integrating the management of high and low voltage in the same project and in compliance with international standards. elec calc 2019 promises an enhanced performance for any kind of electrical projects – from the simplest to the most complex.

More than 30 years of experience and the ability to effectively forecast the changes in the market of the electrical engineering business have allowed crafting a software solution provided with the most advanced features for those professionals who like achieving the greatest results.

More powerful calculation, improved productivity, a higher level of detail:

• Automatic backup setting. It is possible to program an automatic backup of the project. The user can adjust the backup interval in the options – parameters menu.

• The German language is now available for interface and deliverables.

• Continuity between distributors. It is possible to ensure continuity between several elements of a distributor. The continuity of the distributor is managed in the order of the pages. It automatically follows all the movements of the pages relative to each other.

• AWG cable management. It is now possible to use the AWG classification for the cable section. This feature allows the user to choose, for each cable, to use the mm2 or AWG sections using the drop-down list in the quick entry area.

• Multiple receivers. it is possible to define a charge composed of several receivers of the same kind distributed on a terminal circuit. This feature is available for power outlets, lighting and resistive loads. An automatic construction function generates the terminal circuit. The individual data of each component of the circuit can then be modified by the user.

• Decorative objects. It is possible to add decorative objects to the single-line diagram to complete the graphical representation of the project in order to obtain a more detailed installation rendering that is more readable and more pleasant to use.

• Management and customization of the drawing background. elec calc allows you to position backgrounds on the single line diagram. The different fields of the cartridge are filled and updated automatically from the information contained in the “Project Management”. The user can create, customize and manage the background.

• The version of the library standards drawings. From a standard drawing of the library, it is possible to generate different versions of this drawing.

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Customers with a subscription will receive a notification of the availability of this new version. Purchase options include flexible subscription terms to fit a wide range of needs and personalized customer support.

The Implementation of BIM in Spain

BIM IN THE SPANISH AEC INDUSTRY: The present

A new chapter for the implementation of BIM in the AEC industry in Spain has just begun. No longer an uncertain perspective for the future, Building Information Modeling has finally become a reality.

Last year Spain has witnessed a paradigm shift in the building industry. From the 17th of December 2018, BIM is finally mandatory for all the public construction tenders. With regards to the public infrastructure tenders, the date is set to be the 26th July 2019. The decision was taken by the Ministry of Development of Spain in order to drive the modernization of the building industry, accelerate the implementation of BIM, and foster the use of its standards and its methodology.

And from the 31st of December, the so-called BIM mandate will automatically make BIM mandatory for those building projects of the Ministry and its associated companies such as Renfe (Public railway company) or Aena (Public Airline company).

BIM IN SPAIN: The Past

Building Smart is the International organization willing to drive the transformation of the build asset economy through the creation and adoption of open, international standards. Building Smart Spain was formally constituted in November 2014 and, within the country, it served as a point of reference. In fact, in such a changing scenario, its main tasks had been to create a common framework, to provide the specifications & documentation, to accelerate interoperability across the sector and to extend the use of BIM disruptive approach. This is how the “Spanish chapter” started, a new era for all the actors across the building industry keen on modernizing their methodology and work processes through the implementation of BIM.

Spain has also been subject to EU Directive 2014/24/UE. According to this directive, the member states were invited to encourage the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in construction projects financed by EU public funds as of 2016.

In 2015 the Ministerio de Fomento (Ministry of Development) created the “BIM Commission” with the main mission to establish a roadmap for the BIM methodology implementation in Spain. The BIM Committee had been made up of five different tasks groups that focus on distinct themes: strategy, people, processes, technology, and International Liaison.

Finally, in 2018 the BIM implementation strategy has been approved and there is finally no turning back for modernization of the building industry.

BIM: What It Is And Its Associated Benefits

BIM (Building Information Modeling) is the most popular trend topic within the building industry. For many reasons why.

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is the digital management of the information processes for the design, construction, and management of building projects. The use of the intelligent 3D digital model – the representation of the physical and functional characteristics of a structure – promotes interoperability and the result is a highly interactive environment capable of adapting to changes. In fact, BIM establishes a collaborative work environment able to improve the performance of each phase of the project, as everybody is thinking beyond their context. Design, construction, operation, demolition, and even waste management, BIM creates a framework for the whole building lifecycle.

The real-time 3-D visualization allows better management of the conflict by using the BIM Model. This immediately translates into fewer risks, interferences, costs and time. Also, the documentation produced by each stakeholder derives from a single digital model, guaranteeing uniformity and consistency. Last but not least, BIM allows building smart and sustainable projects, energy efficient, integrated with their surrounding environment.

elec calc BIM

elec calc BIM stands out as the unique electrical design software solution responding to the BIM challenges. This is the world’s first calculating software that seamlessly integrates elec calc- the electrical equipment used in sizing projects – with different design platforms and architectural 3D models, thanks to its unique IFC standard use approach.

BIM simulates the construction project in a virtual environment. Just as elec calcBIM solution allows you to create a one-line diagram of electrical installation from the BIM model and defining the cable routing (calculating lengths, adding cables as objects).

The key benefit of BIM is its accurate geometrical representation of the parts of a building, in an integrated data environment. Some great features of elec calc BIM include IFC Explorer, your electrical objects are recognized from IFC data and interactions between Explorer, 3D Viewer, and elec calcone-line diagram, identifying components in real time between your 3D Viewer and the one-line diagram.

Solar Pv Self-Consumtion Systems

What is solar self-consumption?

A solar self- consumption installation uses the PV electricity generated on-site to meet the energy needs of the consumer while minimizing or excluding the use of electricity from the utility grid. As the energy is generated on site, transmission losses are kept at a minimum. It is an optimal choice for home energy efficiency as it allows relevant savings. The consumption will depend on several factors such as the number of electrical appliances used, weather conditions, the power of photovoltaic devices and on the number of households.

The scenario

People drive cars, cook meals, use transportation to travel, switch on the light at night, they buy clothes which have been produced in a factory. All these processes consume energy. Traditionally, energy models have been dominated by fossil fuels such as coal, oil, gas and nuclear energy. Unfortunately, these non- renewable sources of energy are not safe and sustainable choices. In fact, apart from being finite on the earth, are also a serious threat to both humans’ health and planet survival.

Non- renewable sources of energy harm the environment for the way they are extracted, processed, used and disposed of. The biggest impact on the planet is the emission of greenhouse gases, in particular, CO2, which is contributing to climate change with its correspondent effects on biodiversity and the ecosystem.

Air pollution is another critical factor. According to this study, it turns that pollution kills 9 Million people every year and Asia and Africa is where the majority of these deaths occur. Apart from these, there are other toxic consequences such as land waste, water pollutions, acid rains, technology fails and waste disposal.

Access to energy is at the heart of the economic development of any country. However, the need to switch to low carbon and renewable source of energy is nowadays not only a conscious choice but the only logical choice for the future.

Rooftop PV for self-consumption of electricity

Solar photovoltaic technologies are an efficient solution for reaching the goal to decarbonize the power sector. In fact, fostered by the emerging of clean energy production and consumption paradigms, solar photovoltaic energy deployment has been evolving. To cope with the challenge of climate change, the self-consumption of PV electricity plays an important role as it can help in the transition to a decarbonized energy system.

Rooftop PV deployment has faced several challenges. They can be considered a disruptive technology as can be distributed at many points in the electrical grid rather than concentrated to a few large plants, can be located at the user side of the electricity meter, and produce electricity intermittently only when the sun shines.

Historically, high costs of PV-generated electricity have been a barrier to its development. But nowadays things are changing. Many consumers have, in fact, started to invest in the solar PV self-consumption systems. The main driver is economical. The prices of PV and battery energy storage system are, in fact, more competitive than the past. EU governments are also working in creating a clear regulatory framework for household self- consumption. Recently, EU member states have reached a consensus regarding the prohibition of discriminatory taxes for self-produced energy for those systems of up to 30 kW capacity.

Last but not least, the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (2018/844/EC) and the increasing requirements for net-zero energy buildings is another driver. According to the Energy Innovation Europe, it is estimated that approximately 1.5 million new residential buildings are constructed per year, and 2.5 million undergo substantial renovation. The study believes that adding only 10m2 PV to each project would potentially add 5.7GW per year. With commercial buildings even more dynamic and the addition of retrofitting existing buildings the potential for PV to contribute significantly to the Paris Goals and the local economies are clearly viable.

Trace Software International is attending the SEPEM Industries event in Douai

Trace Software International is pleased to announce its participation in the upcoming SEPEM Industries Nord, an event held at the Douai Exhibition Center from 29 to 31 January 2019.

The SEPEM Industries, service, equipment, process and maintenance trade fairs are organized into 7 biennial exhibitions in France. There will be showcased all the solution offerings in manufacturing. Productivity, environment, safety, maintenance, subcontracting, engineering: every SEPEM fair highlights a specific perspective of the market to give insider access to knowledge and effective solutions.

With 719 exhibitors announced on this seventh edition, the SEPEM Douai is a unique business opportunity for the professionals in the North of France.

Trace Software International

Trace Software International, a major player in the electrical computing software market, confirms its participation in this key event. The company will present elec calc and elec calc BIM, software solutions dedicated to the calculation and to the sizing of high and low voltage electrical installations. These tools enable engineering professionals to implement a new technological approach within their organizations that can deliver concrete competitive advantages in terms of time, quality and performance.

The software solutions for the electrical engineering industry

elec calc is a CAE solution dedicated to the sizing and the calculation of electrical installations in real time. It is the only software in the world that integrates high and low voltage management in a single project, according to international standards, from pre-study to operation.

elec calc BIM is the first software that seamlessly integrates elec calc, used for sizing and calculating electrical installations, into an Open BIM process. With elec calc BIM, the user can design installation by supporting his calculations on a digital model in IFC 4 format, generated by the various 3D architecture software (Revit, ArchiCAD, SketchUp …).

The photovoltaic solar sector: exchange of Franco-Mexican experiences

Trace Software International has already landed in Mexico to attend a seminar on the solar photovoltaic sector on Wednesday 23rd January 2019, at the French Embassy of the Ciudad de México. The event is a relevant occasion to promote the exchange of Franco-Mexican experiences with regards to the photovoltaic solar market.

With high levels of solar radiation (about 5.3-kilowatt hours per square meter) and a series of changes in the political management of the renewable energy mix of the country, Mexico is expected to establish itself as the largest solar photovoltaic market in Latin America.

Change of attitude

Recently, the energy reform and related laws such as the Ley de Transition Energetica (LTE- Energy Transition Law) have significantly changed the direction of Mexican policies on the development of renewable energy. One of the pillars of the new legislative framework is the modernization of the photovoltaic market thanks to the private investments, which now finally allows companies to participate in an in a grid long dominated by a single state utility. As part of the reform, Mexico has also held three annual solar auctions and the last one recorded the world’s cheapest solar big solar bid.

Trace Software International Role

Jaime Bastidas, Business Development Manager of TSI’s solar division – Cythelia Energy– will attend the seminar and talk about thearchelios suite software solution. He will showcase the company expertise by explaining how the tool can provide the solar professionals with undeniable benefits such as performance and ROI improvements, highest levels of accuracy and efficient time management. In fact, the archelios suite includes integrated tools for each phase of the photovoltaic project: feasibility study, 3D simulation, electrical sizing, and PV Monitoring.

The future of solar energy looks bright in Mexico and the event is the ideal setting to create synergies and unlock business opportunities. Other major speakers will take part in the seminar. Mr. Sergio ARNAUD, President of the National Association of Solar Energy (ANES), for example, will highlight the challenges of the Mexican solar market and Mrs. Marie Pausader, the Counselor of Sustainable Development at the Embassy of France in Mexico, will introduce relevant fact regarding the solar energy panorama of France.

The Spanish energy transition

The energy transition establishes sustainable and long-term structural changes in a country’s energy system to reduce CO2 emissions and limit the effects of climate change. The term refers to the transition from energy production and consumption models based on non-renewable sources such as natural gas, oil, and coal to a system based on renewable energy.

The energy transition in Spain has experienced a downfall in recent years. The abolition of incentives for the installation of new electricity generation plants in 2013 to support the tariff deficit (built up by years of regulation which kept prices below costs), the lack of a reliable strategy of the sector, the increase in energy prices and the imposition of an absurd sun tax have compromised the position of Spain in the renewable energy market.

These are the main reasons why the photovoltaic market in the Mediterranean peninsula, with its long coasts and a favorable climate during most of the year, experienced a great paralysis in 2010. Spain, once renowned as a world leader in the production of solar energy, today it is only the fifth European market with its 5 GW, far behind Germany (42.4 GW), Italy (19.6 GW), United Kingdom (12.8 GW) and France (8 GW) according to the International Energy Agency.

The actual situation is the result of the political maneuvers of the previous government. The owners of a photovoltaic self-consumption network were forced to pay a fee for both the power contracted with their electricity company and for the electricity generated for their consumption, in the case of installations above 10 kW. Moreover, the same decree imposed the prohibition to sell the self -produced electricity and the obligation to donate any excess amount to the public grid.

This is the controversy “sun tax” imposed by the government of one of the sunniest countries in Europe, which is paradoxically addressed to hinder self-consumption in favor of a centralized and uncompetitive energy model.

Fortunately, Spain has decided to change the rules of the game. Pedro Sanchez, the new president of the Government, together with the Minister of the Environment, Isabel García Tejerina, are willing to make big changes in the Spanish energy scenario.

Spain decides to scraps “sun tax” to support self-consumption throughout the country, a practice that according to a study by GreenPeace could save the Spaniards 1,770 million euros. Finally, the barriers that have hindered the growth of the photovoltaic sector in the country are breaking down.

Further measures

In addition to the abolition of the solar tax, other measures have been promoted to ensure access to more sustainable and environmentally friendly self-consumption alternatives. The new rules for self-consumption in Spain also include simpler bureaucratic procedures, the cancellation of mandatory registration for installations not exceeding 100 kW, the recognition of the right to the shared self-consumption practice which will allow 66.5% of Spaniards living in buildings to benefit from economies of scale.

Spain has also planned the reduction of electricity prices, the temporary suspension of the 7% tax on the electricity production, the exemption from the special hydrocarbon tax, and a social bonus addressed to those groups vulnerable of energy exclusion.

With great natural resources, the country is back on track to restore its leadership position in the renewable energy market and willing to accelerate the energy transition. A draft law on climate change and energy transition is, in fact, ready and awaits its acceptance by the Parliament. (Ley de Cambio Climático y Transición Energética). The government will base its legislative proposals on the following pillars: decarbonization, efficiency and energy saving, security, internal energy market, innovation, research, and competitiveness.

Ambitious goals

According to the government’s proposal, the country plans to increase renewable energy by 35% and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20% by 2020. By 2050 Spain has set the ambitious goal to switch to 100% renewable electricity. Furthermore, new licenses for the exploration of oil and gas in the waters of Spain will not be issued and the country will completely stop drilling by 2040.

Cars powered by petrol or diesel will be phased out and after 2040 only electric and other “zero emission” vehicles will be sold in Spain. It will be also essential to develop more energy storage. The use of water basins and hydroelectric plants to store energy, for example by pumping uphill water on a sunny day where solar energy is abundant, is an area of greatest potential.

In order to make the country’s energy transition possible 100,000 million euros will be allocated to renewable energy, self-consumption, sustainable mobility, and energy efficiency.

The photovoltaic software solution

With the shift to sustainable energy and consumption model, photovoltaic technology plays a key role for clean and affordable electricity production. The archelios suite provides solar professionals with a unique tool for the management of the entire photovoltaic project ( feasibility study, 3D simulation, electrical sizing, PV Monitoring).

archelios O&M

archelios O&M is the monitoring software for PV installations. It belongs to the archelios suite, the innovative software portfolio to manage the entirety of a PV project.

When the PV Plant has been constructed and connected to the grid to sell Electricity, the PV Plant operator is in charge of guaranteeing its efficient production, at the minimum in line with the project plan and even possibly above it. On that purpose, a real-time performance monitoring system is required.

And decide for the correcting actions to restore the expected production

A good monitoring system will provide information on the production, alarms and analytical data, in a timely, efficient and precise manner to detect any anomaly of the PV Plant.

archelios O&M has been designed to face the challenges of today’s solar industry by combining modeling technology and PV expertise. Thanks to easy PV BIM (PV Building Information Modeling), archelios O&M contains a fully functional and 3D description of the PV installation. Based on real-time irradiance and temperature, it also computes expected production from each piece of equipment, any incident or loss is valued in %, MWh and financial data, it is directly attached to the equipment, visualized in a plant 2D/3D map and consolidated to the plant.

The features:

The archelios O&M PVBIM technology possesses unique and superior features when compared which the conventional monitoring systems. Please learn below about some of them:

Calculation of the reference production “plan” taking into account 3D and functional modeling and standard aging with the historical climate of the PV plant site. Thanks to 3D modeling, it integrates all near and far shading effects as well as trackers if applied.
The effective plant production can easily be compared, over a period of time, to the reference production plan to access how it is in line with global expectation.

Calculation of the archelios production reference. Real-time irradiance and temperature data are injected into the PV plant digital model that precisely determines the expected production of each component from the delivery point meter, down to Inverters, Junction boxes, and even individual strings.
Any measured production at any equipment level can be compared to the archelios production reference, either visually or automatically. Specific under production alarms can be generated, any loss can be valued in energy and/or financial loss.

PV plant 3D modeling serves even beyond computation. A powerful 3D viewer is always available in the 2 screens application user interface. Any selected information (curve, value, alarm …) is localized with its related piece of equipment. A colored 2D/3D view of the plant can highlight the weakest and strongest elements, at the inverter level, junction box or string. Service personnel will directly go on site to the right intervention spot.

PVBIM being the backbone of the monitoring system, the PV plant structure is always there, and any data can be attached to its corresponding device, like reference specification, simulation modeling, and even user and maintenance manual. This is like having your “as built” file under a click of your mouse. Either at the office or on-site with wireless connection, supervisors and maintenance technician have access to all needed information.

User interface providing different view modes serving the different level of details expected for different users or defect analysis steps.

A real-time Dashboard is available allowing a top-down analysis approach from portfolio overview to understand individual defects.

A PV plant can be highly vulnerable. archelios O&M provides the solar professional with an ultra-precise energy management tool to collect and analyze data. It plays a crucial role in the photovoltaic industry as it makes possible to detect any PV plant anomaly and to undertake the most appropriate repairs, with ROI concern in mind, to restore best asset production and profitability.

archelios Calc 2019 for the solar PV self-consumption market

Trace Software International, a global reference in the electrical and photovoltaic engineering industry, announces that the latest version of archelios Calc is available on the market.

archelios Calc is a complete software solution for the calculation, sizing, and control of photovoltaic installations connected to the public grid. The latest version of the software comes with the newest features for the solar PV self-consumption market.

Fostered by the emerging of clean energy production and consumption paradigms, solar photovoltaic energy deployment has been evolving. The increase in retail electricity prices and the decline in solar PV has brought many consumers to invest in the solar PV self-consumption systems. The economic benefit is a big driver, but in a scenario where climate change is a pressuring topic, sustainable choices are no longer an option. The self-consumption of PV electricity can help in accelerating the transition to a decarbonized energy system.

The solar self- consumption installation

A solar self- consumption installation uses the PV electricity generated on-site to meet the energy needs while minimizing or excluding the use of electricity from the utility grid. As the energy is generated on site, transmission losses are kept at a minimum. It is an optimal choice for home energy efficiency as it allows relevant savings. The consumption will depend on several factors such as the number of electrical appliances used, weather conditions, the power of photovoltaic devices and on the number of households.

archelios Calc now comes with a new “self-consumption distribution board” view in the connection and location type menu. The user will be able to select the self-consumption option in the interface and to manage the electrical parameters of the switchboard on which the installation is connected. The detailed diagram of the self-consumption installation will be provided, excluding the energy meters.

The newest version of the solar calculation software also presents a new interface design. The environment graphical representation has been updated with new colors and more modern icon design to improve interactivity. Furthermore, archelios Calc 2019 allows the real-time visualization of the electrical network of the installation.

Do you want to know more?

]]>https://www.trace-software.com/blog/archelios-calc-2019-self-consumption-market/feed/0How to show data location in a cabinet drawing?https://www.trace-software.com/blog/how-to-show-data-location-in-a-cabinet-drawing/
https://www.trace-software.com/blog/how-to-show-data-location-in-a-cabinet-drawing/#respondThu, 06 Dec 2018 14:48:03 +0000https://www.trace-software.com/?p=19052During the electrical cabinet manufacturing, the panelist is required to possess some technical data of the cabinet in different drawings. For this purpose, elecworks™ – the electrical CAD software- disposes of connection labels symbols. Those will show the information of the component or of the associated part and also all the data related […]

]]>During the electrical cabinet manufacturing, the panelist is required to possess some technical data of the cabinet in different drawings.

For this purpose, elecworks – the electrical CAD software- disposes of connection labels symbols. Those will show the information of the component or of the associated part and also all the data related to the item, such as location, technical data, descriptions, connections, etc.

As shown in the image, not only the values of the user data are shown in the symbol. Also, if a ‘#’ is added to the definition of the attribute, the description of the project will be shown in the drawing.

Connections labels are the perfect solution to show information about any component at any place in the electrical project. In addition, these symbols can be inserted so many times as needed saving up times and gaining in efficiency.